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Ultrastructural Expansion Microscopy in Three In Vitro Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi
Published on: May 12, 2023
Development and infectious disease in hosts with complex life cycles.
Catherine L Searle1, Gisselle Yang Xie, Andrew R Blaustein
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. searlec@umich.edu
Plos One
|April 9, 2013
Summary
Amphibian metamorphosis can influence recovery from the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Larval conditions like density impact development and infection severity, with some species showing resilience post-metamorphosis.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Amphibian Biology
- Pathogen-Host Interactions
Background:
- Metamorphosis involves significant physiological and morphological changes in amphibians.
- The fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) poses a threat to amphibian populations globally.
- Host-pathogen dynamics can vary with host life stage, particularly during metamorphosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how larval stage conditions influence amphibian development and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) infection patterns.
- To assess the impact of larval density and species composition on Bd infection across amphibian life stages.
- To determine if amphibians can recover from Bd infection during metamorphosis.
Main Methods:
- Outdoor experimental mesocosms simulating natural pond habitats were utilized.
- Key variables manipulated included Bd presence, larval density, and host species composition.
- Two co-occurring amphibian species, Rana cascadae and Pseudacris regilla, were studied.
Main Results:
- Pseudacris regilla exhibited higher Bd infection severity than Rana cascadae throughout development.
- While larval infection reached 100% in some cases, post-metamorphosis infection rates decreased significantly (18.2% for R. cascadae, 81.5% for P. regilla).
- Higher larval densities in P. regilla shortened the larval period, correlating with lower infection severity and a trend towards reduced post-metamorphosis prevalence.
Conclusions:
- Amphibians demonstrate an ability to clear or reduce Bd infections during metamorphosis.
- Larval stage factors such as density and species interactions significantly influence amphibian development and susceptibility to Bd.
- Host density, species composition, and pathogen exposure interact to shape infection dynamics in amphibians with complex life cycles.
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